Golspie community accuses Highland Council of ‘contempt and disregard’ over land sale
Highland Council has been accused of treating a Sutherland community with ‘contempt and disregard’ over a land sale.
Golspie residents were upset not to have been consulted before a 10.26-acre plot next to Golspie Business Park, on the southern edge of the village, was put on the market. Offers of over £100,000 were invited.
The land, which is owned by Highland Council, is considered to be important for the “development of the village”, and talks had been held with officials about how it could be used.
The community council has now written to the authority registering a "robust objection” and is calling for the sale to be put on hold pending further discussion.
Community council chairperson Henrietta Marriott said that there had been a “total lack of communication” with the community council despite previous conversations about planting trees on the land as part of a strategic flood management plan.
“The sale ignores all previous discussions with Highland Council and flies in the face of all community aspirations and attempts to improve this area,” she said.
“It beggars belief that the local authority which is meant to serve and support the communities in its region can have a process that treats those same people with such apparent contempt and disregard.”
“We formally request that Highland Council take no decision on this sale until full discussions with the community have taken place and all options have been explored.”
The community council is also asking the authority to inform them advance of any future sale of Highland Council properties within their area and for the community to have a say in the final decision taken.
Highland Council has been approached for comment.
